Mortgage Rates Move Toward Seven Percent as Markets Digest Incoming Data

BY GlobeNewswire | AGENCY | 04/11/24 12:00 PM EDT

MCLEAN, Va., April 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey? (PMMS?), showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.88 percent.

?Mortgage rates have been drifting higher for most of the year due to sustained inflation and the reevaluation of the Federal Reserve?s monetary policy path,? said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac?s Chief Economist. ?While newly released inflation data from March continues to show a trend of very little movement, the financial market?s reaction paints a far different economic picture. Since inflation decelerated from 9% to 3% between June 2022 and June 2023, the annual growth rate of inflation has remained effectively flat, ranging from 3.1% to 3.7% and averaging 3.3%. The March estimate of 3.5% annual growth is in the middle of that range. However, the market?s reaction was dramatically different, as illustrated by a significant drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average post-announcement.?

Khater continued, ?It?s clear that while the trend in inflation data has been close to flat for nearly a year, the narrative is much less clear and resembles the unrealized expectations of a recession from a year ago.?

News Facts

  • The 30-year FRM averaged 6.88 percent as of April 11, 2024, up from last week when it averaged 6.82 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.27 percent.
  • The 15-year FRM averaged 6.16 percent, up from last week when it averaged 6.06 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.54 percent.

The PMMS? is focused on conventional, conforming, fully amortizing home purchase loans for borrowers who put 20 percent down and have excellent credit. For more information, view our Frequently Asked Questions.

Freddie Mac?s mission is to make home possible for families across the nation. We promote liquidity, stability, affordability and equity in the housing market throughout all economic cycles. Since 1970, we have helped tens of millions of families buy, rent or keep their home. Learn More: Website | Consumers | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

MEDIA CONTACT:
Angela Waugaman
(703)714-0644
Angela_Waugaman@FreddieMac.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/efbbda59-7091-4f2f-acbf-6ae31d2529a7

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Image: Primary Logo

Primary Mortgage Market Survey?
Image: https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/efbbda59-7091-4f2f-acbf-6ae31d2529a7/medium/primary-mortgage-market-survey.png

U.S. weekly average mortgage rates as of 04/11/2024
Source: Freddie Mac

In general the bond market is volatile, and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Unlike individual bonds, most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so avoiding losses caused by price volatility by holding them until maturity is not possible.

Lower-quality debt securities generally offer higher yields, but also involve greater risk of default or price changes due to potential changes in the credit quality of the issuer. Any fixed income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss.

Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.

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